Tuesday, June 24, 2008

For my Friend Vinny

I think the Memorial Bracelet is absolutely a "first class" job! It's everything I'd hoped it would be and more.

I was searching the Web on Memorial Day and specifically looking for my friend Vinny Daiello who died in SVN on Dec. 20, 1968 almost 40 years ago. It's almost too incredible to believe. In searching I somehow, thank God, stumbled on your site and I will be forever grateful.

I was stationed in Dong Ba Thin, SVN from May 1968 to May 1969 with the 10th Combat Aviation Battalion, the Vagabonds of Vietnam. I knew my friend Vinny was there with an infantry unit, but had no clue as to specifically where he was located. Every week I would scan the MIA/KIA lists in Stars and Stripes. One day I see listed in the KIAs Sgt Vincent T. Daiello. Vinny's last name is not that common, so after the initial shock wore off I contacted a guy I knew who worked in Graves Registration" in Saigon. I told him about seeing Vinny's name and asked about being assigned a "body escort" to accompany Vinny's remains stateside. He told me that Stars and Stripes were so far behind listing names that my friend was most likely already home and buried. As it turned out he was 100% right. The family and friend at home had all decided it served no purpose telling me of Vinny's death and didn't intend on telling me until I returned home. I've been to the Vietnam Memorial several times and have etched Vinny's name. I also visited his gravesite with another close friend and Vinny's brother Joe Daiello in 1969. I am so proud to be wearing Sgt. Vincent T. Daiello's bracelet and do not intend on ever taking it off.

Thank you so much for the service you provide.

Best wishes,

Pete

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